Health Remedies - Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the commonest form of anemia. It develops due to a lack of the mineral iron, which is needed to form hemoglobin. IDA may occur due to blood loss, malabsorption of iron from the diet or due to insufficient intake of iron. The most common symptoms of IDA includes abnormal paleness of the skin, eyes and lips, brittle nails, irritability, tiredness, increased heart rate, sore or swollen tongue etc. Iron deficiency anemia is the final stage of iron deficiency.

When the body has sufficient iron to meet its needs (functional iron), the remainder is stored for later use in the bone marrow, liver, and spleen. Iron deficiency ranges from iron depletion, which yields little physiological damage, to iron deficiency anemia, which can affect the function of numerous organ systems. Hence if untreated, IDA can lead to various secondary complications such as arrhythmias, angina pectoris, premature delivery, stunted growth etc.

In the treatment of ulcerated mouths and throats, externally as a wash for ulcers and sores, for young children, lactating mothers and for patients with fever, haemorrhage, anaemia or kidney complaints (plant); to relieve headaches (root juice); to treat inflammations, boils and abscesses (leaves)

To treat insanity, epilepsy, paediatric diseases, chicken pox, as a rejuvenative, to improve memory and intelligence, and to treat dermatosis, anaemia, diabetes, cough, dropsy, fever, arthritis, anorexia, dyspepsia, emaciation. It is a blood purifier and useful in diarrhea and fevers.

In skin troubles and blood purification (bark); in dysentery (decoction); useful in inflammatory affections, ulcers and dropsy, in digestive troubles and sometimes in chronic gonorrhoea; in diabetes, as a tonic to asthmatic and anaemic patients, and in Hansen's disease (juice).

Acts on the liver and kidneys, purifies the blood and is an excellent tonic for the digestive system; good application to wounds and sores (fresh herb), Anorexia, kidney stones, anemia, as well as all digestive problems, including dyspepsia, constipation, flatulence, heartburn, etc.

Anemia (root and leaf); stomach worms (plant oil); for treating burns (leaf juice); as a wash or poultice to bug bites, sunstroke, rheumatic joints and swollen feet, whilst a decoction is used for carious teeth (leaves); urinary problems and are considered useful for relieving the discharge of semen through the urine (seeds)

In gout; as an antiinflammatory, stimulant and anthelmintic (rhizome); also beneficial in asthma, anaemia, bronchitis, leprosy, flatulence, constipation, fever, skin diseases and inflammation. It is also used for carcino­genic tumours.

Increasing the secretion of gastric juices, urinary troubles and as a tonic (plant); fevers, abdominal pain and for purifying blood (root). Best strengtheners of the human system, stimulating the liver, gall bladder and digestive system; taken internally in the treatment of liver complaints, indigestion, gastric infections, anorexia, gout, torpid liver, spleen enlargement, anaemia and worms. It should not be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

In the treatment of biliousness with acidity (flower juice); to promote weight increase (seeds); in the treatment of coughs, dysentery and bilious, blood and throat disorders (leaf); in the treatment of anaemia, fatigue, lassitude, etc (stem peeling); to control intestinal Guinea worms in Africa (powdered leaf)

As an aphrodisiac and a tonic (seed); in cancer and tubercular fistula (plant); in urogenital disorders (such as spermatorrhea) and impotence, as a uterine sedative for pregnant women and for treating diseases of the blood and biliousness, to treat rheumatism, gonorrhoea, jaundice, anasarca, diarrhoea, dysentery, thirst, urinary calculi and urinary discharges, inflammations, biliousness, diseases of the eyes, pains, high blood pressure, ascites and abdominal troubles, anaemia, constipation and anuria.

As an antidepressant, in mania, apathy, hypersomnia, and insomnia, anorexia, psychomotor retardation, depression feelings of worthlessness, anxiety disorders and aids in healing wounds and ulcers (for nervous disorders. the drug may take as long as a month before any effects are noticed). It is also used for menopausal changes triggering irritability and anxiety. In addition to neuralgic pain, it will ease fibrositis, sciatica and rheumatic pain.

Externally it is a healing and anti-inflammatory remedy. As a lotion it will speed the healing of wounds and bruises, varicose veins and mild burns. The oil is especially useful for the healing of sunburn. It has the calming properties, useful in treating bedwetting, insomnia, and other nervous conditions, as well as some form of melancholy. An oil extract of the herb can be taken for stomach ache, colic, intestinal problems, and as an expectorant for the congestion in the lungs. A tea made from the flowers is good for anemia, headache, insomnia, jaundice, chest congestion, and catarrh. A tea made from the herb has been used for uterine cramping and menstrual difficulties. The oil extract also make a good external application for burns, wounds, sores, bruises, and other skin problems.

As an expectorant, increasing the secretion of gastric juices and as a tonic. Used in anaemia, catarrah, coryza, cough, dysmenorrhea, loss of appetite, ischaemic heart disease and skin diseases. The rhizome is used in the treatment of contagious fevers that have not fully ripened and pain in the upper body, especially between the neck and the shoulders.

In scrofula, syphilis, eczema and herpes (bark and leaf); rheumatism (fruit); as a vermifuge, laxative and in skin diseases (fruit oil); in dysentery and colic (kernel); to treat constipation, chronic coughs, asthma, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, skin ailments and purify the blood; coughs and vertigo (male inflorescences); in the treatment of diarrhoea and anaemia, low back pain, frequent urination, weakness of both legs, chronic cough, asthma, constipation due to dryness or anaemia and stones in the urinary tract, as a poultice to areas of dermatitis and eczema (rind); menstrual problems and dry skin conditions (seed oil); in the treatment of cancer (cotyledons).

Overall tonic and appetite stimulant (stomach disorders, arthritis); treat urinary tract infections, kidney, bladder and prostrate disorders; heart problems (leaves in juice form); respitory dysfunctions (chlorophyll); are used as a nutritive tonic to stimulate the appetite, in the treatment of earache, to encourage the clotting of blood and promote weight gain (leaves); has an oestrogenic action and useful in treating problems related to menstruation and the menopause (plant); in the treatment of gravel (plant juice); taken internally for debility in convalescence or anaemia, haemorrhage, menopausal complaints, pre-menstrual tension, fibroids etc (plant); in cases of highly coloured urine (root).

Indigestion, anemia, swelling of the tympanum and hemorrhoids (fresh plant juice); dysentery and diarrhea (leaf and root); skin and eye disorders (such as warts and opacity of the cornea) and scurvy (plant); insomnia, jaundice and fever.

To treat dropsy, gonorrhoea, frequent menstruation, anemia and diabetes and as a poultice for skin ulcers, sores, swelling and itchiness (whole plant); used in jaundice and gonorrhoea (decoction of leaves); in treating kidney and gall stones, the lowering of viral load in hepatitis disease (Dried leaves)

In diabetes (wood infusion); diarrhea, leucorrhea, heartburn and indolent ulcers (plant juice). The heartwood is useful in skin diseases, diabetes, anaemia, and obesity. It is an astringent. It is administered for diarrhoea, dysentery, pyrosis and as an injection for leucorrhoea. An aqueous infusion of the wood is used in diabetes.

In Ayurveda, the root is used for treating leprosy; the leaves are used to treat urinary discharges, enlargement of the spleen, diarrhoea and anaemia. A paste of the leaves and bark is applied locally to relieve chapped or cracked skin.

For diarrhea, for menstrual problems (pain, cramps, premenstrual syndrome [PMS], and to promote and normalize menstruation), vomiting, kidney problems and to increase the secretion of gastric juices (plant); in fever, cough and bronchitis and as a gargle for toothache (leaf); to relieve symptoms of glycosuria, reduce hyperglycaemia, increase RBC count, in anaemia, albuminuria, ketonuria, retinitis and other complications associated with diabetes mellitus.

Jaundice, kidney problems, bleeding of the uterus and nose, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism and eczema, as a diuretic (for relieving rheumatism and edema), astringent and as a substitute for thiazide treatment (without side effects) (plant); Externally, the plant is used to treat skin complaints, arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, dandruff etc.; as a tonic (flower and seed); for heart problems. Nettles have a long history of Use(s) in the home as a herbal remedy and nutritious addition to the diet. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used as a cleansing tonic and blood purifier so the plant is often used in the treatment of hay fever, arthritis, anaemia etc.

It aids weight gain, improves muscular strength and increases stamina. It is a tonic to strengthen liver function and increases immune-system resistance. It promotes the growth of hair. It is used to form a plaster in the treatment of strangury. It purifies blood and aid digestion. They are used internally in the treatment of chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, anaemia, irritability and hysteria. It is used internally in the treatment of palpitations, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, night sweats and excessive perspiration. The root is used in the treatment of dyspepsia. A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of fevers. The root is made into a powder and applied to old wounds and ulcers. The plant is a folk remedy for anaemia, hypertonia, nephritis and nervous diseases.